Browse:

Day two of the NBA Draft Combine took place on Friday morning in Chicago and the prospects were put through several different strength and agility tests. First they were tested on their standing vertical leap and max vertical leap. Then, they were timed in the three-quarter sprint, shuttle run and lane agility test.

Markel Brown and Glenn Robinson III showed off their athleticism by leading the combine in the standing vertical leap with 36.5”. Cleanthony Early (34”) had the third highest leap with Jahii Carson, Nick Johnson and Zach LaVine all tying for fourth with 33.5”.

Brown also led the combine in the max vertical leap, tying Carson with 43.5”. Robinson, Johnson and LaVine rounded out the top five with 41.5”. Aaron Gordon’s 39” vertical is the third highest mark for a PF/C in combine history, behind only Miles Plumlee and Tyrus Thomas.

K.J. McDaniels led the group in the three-quarter sprint with 3.10 seconds. He was followed by Melvin Ejim at 3.14 seconds and Robinson at 3.15 seconds. DeAndre Kane came in at 3.16 seconds, with Brown, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Cleanthony Early tying for the fifth best time at 3.18 seconds.

Aaron Gordon

The most athletic prospect at the combine, Aaron Gordon, led everyone in the shuttle run with a time of 2.76 seconds. Gordon was followed by LaVine at 2.80 seconds and Tyler Ennis at 2.84 seconds. DeAndre Kane and Kendall Williams rounded out the top five with a time of 2.85 seconds.

LaVine was another one of the most athletic prospects at the combine and led everyone in the lane agility time with 10.42 seconds. He was followed by Dante Exum with 10.75 seconds, Jordan Clarkson with 10.76 seconds, Aaron Craft with 10.78 seconds and Nik Stauskas with 10.79 seconds.

Aaron Gordon affirmed what everyone already knew; he was the best athlete at the combine. Zach LaVine was right behind him in the athletic department and improved his draft stock throughout the combine. These types of drills and assessments were made for a player like LaVine, so it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise at how well he excelled.

The prospects who benefited the most from attending the combine were Noah Vonleh, Adreian Payne and Zach LaVine.

A few of the prospects that might have diminished their draft stock a bit are Jordan Adams, Doug McDermott and Gary Harris.

Adams posted the worst standing vertical leap and max vertical leap with 24.5” and 29.5”. He had a pretty solid outing on Thursday, but there’s no denying the disappointment of those numbers on Friday.

McDermott, who was listed as 6’8” in college, measured at just over 6’6” without shoes on Thursday and is in danger of having the dreaded “tweener” label thrust upon him. Harris, listed as 6’4” in college, measured in at just over 6’2” without shoes on Thursday, which makes him undersized for the shooting guard position.

Nevertheless, measurements aren’t everything when it comes to the NBA and the draft projections of these players will continue to fluctuate over the coming weeks leading up to the draft.

Any international players interested in coming to the USA to play in college, prep school or high school can contact us here. We are looking for interns and sales associates. If you’re interested contact us and forward your resume.

You enjoyed this post? Don’t hesitate - Share now!

Managing Partner, NetScouts Basketball "The International Basketball Connection". Columnist, Basketball Times and Huffington Post. College and Professional Basketball Scout.
Follow me on twitter @carlberman